The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the U.S. Constitution provides same-sex couples the right to marry in a historic triumph for the American gay rights movement. With the ruling, gay marriage will become legal in all 50 states.

Commentary from the Pastor’s desk.

What is being described as the U.S. Supreme Court’s “Roe v. Wade” of marriage, redefining marriage as if the U.S. Constitution’s signatory’s had any such intent much less thought woven into the document, has now gone from legalizing infanticide to corrupting humanity’s very social fabric.  It is not a revolutionary cry but a calm, assured voice which reminds all that God has created only two social institutions: the family and the church and, by right of creation, He alone has the right to address or redress either.  A clue as to where God falls on the question would be James 1:7 where God, “… (in) whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” has no intent to do so, five black-robed justices notwithstanding.

So where does that leave we who 1) recognize God for who He is and 2) further recognize His Word for what it is – timeless, definitive, unchanging and everlasting?  A five point outline:

·        First of all, we shouldn’t be surprised.  If anything, the truth of Romans 1 has yet again been underscored, especially verse 31 where those who promote and practice those things contrary to God’s intent are categorized as, “…foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.”

·        Second, God is still on His throne.  History is simply repeating itself – remember the cultures of Ephesus and Philippi and Corinth and Rome: who has prevailed?  Who will prevail?  Here’s a clue: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” – Romans 14:11

·        Third, God is not mocked.  “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap” (Galatians 6:7) is not just a reminder but a certitude of God’s ability and promise to defend Himself, His Word, His intent and His followers.

·        Fourth, ours is not to react harshly but demonstrate Christ’s love.  “…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) tempers our indignation as, given God can indeed take care of Himself, our calling is to demonstrate the path to forgiveness as…

·        Fifth, we prepare for refugees of the sexual rebellion.  “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12) is the message of truth which will become all too real as those engaged in relations outside of God’s intent will only find themselves dissatisfied, unfulfilled and broken.  Hence, God in His mercy and great wisdom has bestowed upon our generation the privilege of carrying the saving message of the Gospel.

Russell Moore of the Southern Baptist Convention put it best when he wrote, “We must stand with conviction and with kindness, with truth and with grace. We must hold to our views and love those who hate us for them. We must not only speak Christian truths; we must speak with a Christian accent. We must say what Jesus has revealed, and we must say those things the way Jesus does — with mercy and with an invitation to new life.”

Amen (so be it).

Pastor Raker